Meghan MarkleandPrince Harrymay appear on the Buckingham Palace balcony as part ofQueen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June — but they will have no “formal role” in the festivities.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been invited to appear at family events during the weekend of Jubilee celebrations, including the traditional balcony appearance and a service of thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral, according toThe Telegraph.
There has been no confirmation that Meghan, 40, andPrince Harry, 37, will return to the U.K. to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, celebrating 70 years on the throne. A spokesperson for the couple toldThe Telegraphthat they could not discuss future travel plans.
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The couple appeared on the Buckingham Palace balcony at Trooping the Colour in 2018 and 2019, marking their last appearance before stepping back and recent Trooping the Colour events being scaled down due to COVID-19. Meghan and Harry also joined royals on the iconic balcony to watch a flypast to mark the centenary of the Royal Air Force in July 2018.
Trooping the Colour 2018.Chris Jackson/Getty Images
“She had plenty of messages for Team U.K., which I have already passed on to most of them,“Prince Harrytold the BBC on Monday. “So, it was great to see her. I’m sure she would love to be here if she could.”
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry.Patrick van Katwijk/Getty Images
Prior to last week’s visit, Meghan had not returned to Europe since March 2020, when she andPrince Harrycarried out theirfinal round of royal engagements.
Prince Harry has returned to the U.K. on two occasions: for his grandfatherPrince Philip’sfuneralin April 2021 and again tounveil a statueof his late mother Princess Diana alongside older brotherPrince Williamin July 2021. (In addition to the COVID-19 pandemic limiting travel, Meghan gave birth to their daughter Lilibet Diana — named after the Queen’s childhood nickname and Harry’s mother — in June.)
Queen Elizabeth— as well asPrince Charles,Prince Williamand many other of his family members in the U.K. — have yet to meet Lili, as Meghan and Harry call their daughter. In February,Prince Harry’s attorney told the High Court in London thatHarry “does not feel safe” bringing his children(they are also parents to 2-year-old Archie) to the U.K. following the loss of his taxpayer-funded police protection.
Harry and Meghan lost their public-funded protection in the U.K. and have privately paid for their own security in the U.S. They were also later told that theycould not pay for U.K. police protectionout of their own pockets.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry.ANP via Getty
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The couple watched the Jaguar Land Rover Driving Challenge on Saturday, withPrince Harryeven taking part in an obstacle course. Both Meghan and Harry also took the passenger seats in kiddie cars for a ride around a track.
They attended the opening ceremony on Saturday evening before cheering teams on in various sports on Sunday.
source: people.com
